Science experiment...

[Llamathurst]

This evening at 9:10 pm, I took a spare link w/screw from my 116618ln a put it in my properly chlorinated hot tub (Spa 56 is the chemical) at 104 degrees F.

I'll remove in exactly 48 hours and see what's what to wearing that reference in the tub. I'm not even remotely worried about it being a Submariner and water, just what happens to the gold.

[burnthesehills]

I can’t imagine any ill effects but curious to see what you find out.

[Llamathurst]

Originally Posted by burnthesehills

I can’t imagine any ill effects but curious to see what you find out.

The lore is that the metals other than gold in the alloy will tarnish (because chlorine will oxidize them), thus changing the color. I'm skeptical too, but we'll see.

[Dirt]

Very interesting.
Especially as we've occasionally seen an example of a tarnished gold watch after hot tub exposure

[saxo3]

Photos before/after would be nice.
(104 °F − 32) × 5/9 = 40 °C
How do you keep constant temperature?

[Llamathurst]

Originally Posted by saxo3

Photos before/after would be nice.
(104 °F − 32) × 5/9 = 40 °C
How do you keep constant temperature?

I have a control link for comparison. They were identical and unworn. The tub always self-maintains constant temperature.

[saxo3]

How much spa56 (in gram) you put in how much water (in liter)?
You have a photo of the tub and the experimental setup?
What is the constant temperature range of the tub?

[Llamathurst]

Originally Posted by saxo3

How much spa56 (in gram) you put in how much water (in liter)?
You have a photo of the tub and the experimental setup?

~1401L, ~10g Sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione dihydrate, pH 7.8

Link is suspended ~8" below waterline. Cover is on. Temp is 104F constant.

[saxo3]

Thanks! That's what I expected, a large pool (nice photo) with a rather small amount of spa56.

1401 liter in the spa ... The last 1 liter you know how accurately? (No no ... just kidding, you called it a science experiment)

Great thread!

[Rolexken]

Rational fear or not, I would not wear an expensive watch in a hot tub because heat = expanded metal = looser seals.

[Llamathurst]

Originally Posted by Rolexken

Rational fear or not, I would not wear an expensive watch in a hot tub because heat = expanded metal = looser seals.

Just for fun I calculated the thermal expansion of gold from body temperature of 98.6 to the hot tub temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit...

The result, per inch, gold will expand 0.000082 of an inch.

I'm not gonna worry about it

[thesharkfactor]

Originally Posted by Dirt

Very interesting.
Especially as we've occasionally seen an example of a tarnished gold watch after hot tub exposure

We did a short time ago, a member here had tarnished his TT DJ in the hot tub, everyone said it was BS.. 18 pages later, RSC fixed it.


https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=673371

[Rolexken]

Originally Posted by Llamathurst

Just for fun I calculated the thermal expansion of gold from body temperature of 98.6 to the hot tub temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit...

The result, per inch, gold will expand 0.000082 of an inch.

I'm not gonna worry about it

But the whole watch won’t be 98.4 so temperature change will be greater perhaps another 0.000002 inches expansion lol

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

We did about a year ago, a member here had tarnished his TT DJ in the hot tub, everyone said it was BS.. 18 pages later, RSC fixed it.

That's probably the reason why the OP does a smart experiment using a bracelet spare link and not his watch.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Llamathurst

This evening at 9:10 pm, I took a spare link w/screw from my 116618ln a put it in my properly chlorinated hot tub (Spa 56 is the chemical) at 104 degrees F.

I'll remove in exactly 48 hours and see what's what to wearing that reference in the tub. I'm not even remotely worried about it being a Submariner and water, just what happens to the gold.

Why anyone would need to wear any watch in a hot tub defeats me.

[GusFring]

Originally Posted by padi56

Why anyone would need to wear any watch in a hot tub defeats me.

I’m with you on this, also if I really wanted to project my British misery why would you want to be in one at all.

[dan993]

Originally Posted by padi56

Why anyone would need to wear any watch in a hot tub defeats me.

Cmon it’s all about the flex man

[padi56]

Originally Posted by GusFring

I’m with you on this, also if I really wanted to project my British misery why would you want to be in one at all.

Got nothing against hot tubs, but cannot see any reason to wear any watch in one, unless in one of these hot tubs you self destruct after a certain period of time in tub.

[S7gpt]

watching

[MrMercedes]

Why are you doing this? In my opinion, this is totally insane!

[enjoythemusic]

Interesting experiment. I expect to see a change as the metals mixed in with gold interact chemically. Normal stuff, so I wouldn't consider it a defect.

[temporarychicken]

Be wary. A hot tub breached the caseback seal of my 18yr old Air King.

Water ingress and dial damage ensued.

I wouldn't even wear a Deepsea in a hot tub (don't have one but still...).

It's only a rubber o-ring on the Air King, there's no magic.

[dannyp]

As an added bonus, you'll learn whether or not it's advisable to wear your Rolex if you spike a high fever.

[EmpireCity]

A hot tub and a Rolex. That's a science experiment I could get behind!

[ArtNouveau]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

We did a short time ago, a member here had tarnished his TT DJ in the hot tub, everyone said it was BS.. 18 pages later, RSC fixed it.


https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=673371

That was an epic thread…and totally bizarre what happened to that watch.

[Llamathurst]

Originally Posted by MrMercedes

Why are you doing this? In my opinion, this is totally insane!

Sometimes sacrifices must be made in the name of science!

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by padi56

Got nothing against hot tubs, but cannot see any reason to wear any watch in one, unless in one of these hot tubs you self destruct after a certain period of time in tub.

I would, simply because I tend not to take off my watch when traveling. I’d be more worried about setting the watch down somewhere near the hot tub.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by Llamathurst

Just for fun I calculated the thermal expansion of gold from body temperature of 98.6 to the hot tub temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit...

The result, per inch, gold will expand 0.000082 of an inch.

I'm not gonna worry about it

Any idea how much the seals expand??

[Bizcut1]

Everyone's bored...can't buy a Rolex, so we are considering ruining one...

[Llamathurst]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

Any idea how much the seals expand??

You know, I sent my Rolex to the RSC, and they said I blew a seal.

I told them to leave my personal life out of it.